Cod are still on the bite in the Goulburn and Murray rivers, Lake Eildon and Lake Mulwala. While we are nearing the end of cod season, it remains open all year in Eildon; however, size and bag limits remain in force.
It was interesting to note that redfin have been active so early — on the bite in the Hume and at Waranga Basin.
Most fish have been small, with occasional bigger ones. Coming out of left field, redfin have been biting in both Lake Eppalock and, surprise, surprise, Green’s Lake. Another location for reddies is, of course, Lake Eildon.
Time to check out saltwater fishing.
The reports from Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters at Queenscliff have been good, with pinky snapper on the bite in and around the heads of Port Phillip Bay, and also off the reefs around Barwon Heads and Point Lonsdale.
Rod said snapper were also on the bite inside the bay as far as Mornington and St Leonards. Rod said squid and whiting were biting along the grass beds between the ferry terminal and the Lonsdale jetty, as well as on the opposite side at Sorrento.
Have you noticed that the days are getting longer, and spring is now just four short weeks away? Hopefully, we’ll be enjoying warmer temperatures soon.
Last week, we spoke of yellowbelly coming on the bite, and so will redfin as the trout move to deeper water in the lakes and dams. The trout season in rivers and streams opens on September 7.
But as we speak, most brown and rainbow trout will be busy feeding to regain their condition from the spawning season. At present, they can be found around the surface in places such as Dartmouth, Eildon and other water storage in the north-east.
The best method to fish for trout is to use a Ford Fender trolled at a walking pace trail, a lure such as a hard-body minnow-style or Tassie devil in a clown pattern, or bait such as mudeye and worms, both scrubs or ordinary garden variety.
The secret is where you troll. I always look for structures such as trees or old water courses where creeks run into the dam. At this time of year, trout will be feeding at or near the surface. As the water warms up, the trout will go deeper.
The blades of a fender resemble fish feeding, and free wild trout think they could be in for a feed. They see the lure or bait, and when they bite, they get hooked.
Have you noticed that we are in the middle of the biggest sporting event in the world? Not only the biggest, but it happens only every four years. Yes, the Olympic Games are being held in Paris. They are called the summer games, but it is winter here, and in France, the event began with a lot of rain. Some summer.
All that aside, it began as a gold rush for us Aussies — oi oi oi. While most of our wins have been in or on the water, I wonder why we don’t have sports related to fishing. This year’s games have some weird events, such as break dancing and those bikes that young people do tricks on. Are they really sports? Just imagine if we included fishing.
Not only that, but the rewards for the place getters could be specific to fishing. A golden perch for the winner, the runner-up would receive a silver bream and third place would collect a bronze whaler. On second thoughts, that might be a little too snappy, ha ha.
The fishing in Western Port Bay saw pinky snapper along the shipping lanes off Hastings, with gummy shark taking small whole squid and salmon fillets in the deeper water off Phillip Island and San Remo during the run-out tide.
Meanwhile, Rod was reporting that southern bluefin tuna were still being caught along the west coast, as well as off Portland; Rod said most tuna weighed 10 to 15kg, with some bigger fish well off the coast.
North of the NSW border at Eden, John Liddell said the boys from Freedom Charters were mainly fishing the inshore reefs and were bagging snapper, morwong, flathead and kingfish.
Further north at Narooma, Graham Cowley said it was the same, with anglers fishing the reefs around Montague Island, and when it was too rough to go offshore, there were always flathead and bream in the lake around the oyster leases.
Well, I hope you enjoy the Olympics if you are staying on the couch. If you do go and wet a line, then stay safe and good fishing.